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Jeremy Gubbels has been described as “troubled”, “a big teddy bear” and “a kid at heart.”

It’s also clear he struggled with drug addiction.

Gubbels was charged with two counts of first-degree murder of his parents Monday. It turns out he’s no stranger to the court system.

His parents, the courts learned, stood by him.

Three years ago, Ontario Court Justice Deborah Austin sentenced Gubbels to seven months in jail for ransacking his parents’ home and assaulting two Sarnia jail guards.

Gubbels’ parents were away when he punched 20 to 30 holes in the walls, threw around broken glass and other debris and ripped out a toilet.

Austin said at the time of his sentencing it was the worst damage she had ever seen in a home over her years as a judge, “making Gubbels’ out-of-control anger obvious,” the Sarnia Observer reported.

He assaulted the two guards while he was in medical treatment. He knocked medication out of a staff member’s hand, then pulled a sock-like weapon from his jail coveralls and swung it at another guard. The guard needed a stitch to close the wound.

Austin ordered he take counselling and stay away from drugs and alcohol. She said his behaviour “exemplifies the horrible effects of drug abuse on other people.”

She also imposed a 10-year weapons prohibition and a DNA order.

Gubbels’ parents hadn’t wanted him charged.

“They continue to support him and he has offered them a heartfelt apology, Austin noted,” the newspaper reported.